Patents by Inventor Benjamin T. Gravely

Benjamin T. Gravely has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11771317
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for imaging an ocular tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image, wherein the specularly reflected light may be produced from various portions of the ocular tear film by obliquely illuminating various portions of the ocular tear film with a multi-wavelength light source, such as in a tiling pattern(s). The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image, which can used to measure a tear film layer thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Tearscience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Publication number: 20220133143
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for imaging an ocular tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image, wherein the specularly reflected light may be produced from various portions of the ocular tear film by obliquely illuminating various portions of the ocular tear film with a multi-wavelength light source, such as in a tiling pattern(s). The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image, which can used to measure a tear film layer thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 11259700
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for imaging an ocular tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image, wherein the specularly reflected light may be produced from various portions of the ocular tear film by obliquely illuminating various portions of the ocular tear film with a multi-wavelength light source, such as in a tiling pattern(s). The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image, which can used to measure a tear film layer thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TearScience Inc
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 10905898
    Abstract: A method of treating dry eye includes delivering light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and maintaining the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time to soften an obstruction of at least one meibomian gland. The light energy may be delivered specifically to the obstruction in the at least one meibomian gland without physically contacting the at least one meibomian gland, or the light energy delivered toward the eyelid may conductively apply heat to the meibomian gland to melt the obstruction. A corresponding apparatus includes a light energy source positionable outside an eyelid and configured to deliver the light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and a controller configured to control the light energy source to maintain the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time to soften the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Tearscience, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Donald R. Korb, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely
  • Publication number: 20200170502
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for imaging an ocular tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image, wherein the specularly reflected light may be produced from various portions of the ocular tear film by obliquely illuminating various portions of the ocular tear film with a multi-wavelength light source, such as in a tiling pattern(s). The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image, which can used to measure a tear film layer thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 10582848
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for imaging an ocular tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image, wherein the specularly reflected light may be produced from various portions of the ocular tear film by obliquely illuminating various portions of the ocular tear film with a multi-wavelength light source, such as in a tiling pattern(s). The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image, which can used to measure a tear film layer thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Tearscience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Publication number: 20190224497
    Abstract: A method of treating dry eye includes delivering light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and maintaining the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time to soften an obstruction of at least one meibomian gland. The light energy may be delivered specifically to the obstruction in the at least one meibomian gland without physically contacting the at least one meibomian gland, or the light energy delivered toward the eyelid may conductively apply heat to the meibomian gland to melt the obstruction. A corresponding apparatus includes a light energy source positionable outside an eyelid and configured to deliver the light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and a controller configured to control the light energy source to maintain the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time to soften the obstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Donald R. Korb, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely
  • Publication number: 20180296086
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for imaging an ocular tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image, wherein the specularly reflected light may be produced from various portions of the ocular tear film by obliquely illuminating various portions of the ocular tear film with a multi-wavelength light source, such as in a tiling pattern(s). The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image, which can used to measure a tear film layer thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 10004396
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for imaging an ocular tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image, wherein the specularly reflected light may be produced from various portions of the ocular tear film by obliquely illuminating various portions of the ocular tear film with a multi-wavelength light source, such as in a tiling pattern(s). The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image, which can used to measure a tear film layer thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 9999346
    Abstract: Background reduction apparatuses and methods of Ocular Surface Interferometry (OSI) employing polarization are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT) and can be used to evaluate and potentially diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in at least one image. The at least one image can be processed and analyzed to measure a tear film layer thickness (TFLT), including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Publication number: 20170265739
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for imaging an ocular tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image, wherein the specularly reflected light may be produced from various portions of the ocular tear film by obliquely illuminating various portions of the ocular tear film with a multi-wavelength light source, such as in a tiling pattern(s). The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image. The second image can be subtracted from the first image to reduce and/or eliminate the background signal(s) in the first image to produce a resulting image, which can used to measure a tear film layer thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Publication number: 20170238797
    Abstract: Background reduction apparatuses and methods of Ocular Surface Interferometry (OSI) employing polarization are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT) and can be used to evaluate and potentially diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in at least one image. The at least one image can be processed and analyzed to measure a tear film layer thickness (TFLT), including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 9693682
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 9662008
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 9642520
    Abstract: Background reduction apparatuses and methods of Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) employing polarization are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT) and can be used to evaluate and potentially diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in at least one image. The at least one image can be processed and analyzed to measure a tear film layer thickness (TFLT), including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 9554698
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Publication number: 20160242640
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 9408534
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Patent number: 9357915
    Abstract: Ocular surface interferometry (OSI) devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for measuring a tear film layer thickness (TFLT) of the ocular tear film, including lipid layer thickness (LLT) and/or aqueous layer thickness (ALT). The measured TFLT can be used to diagnosis dry eye syndrome (DES). In certain disclosed embodiments, a multi-wavelength light source can be controlled to illuminate the ocular tear film. Light emitted from the multi-wavelength light source undergoes optical wave interference interactions in the tear film. An imaging device can be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture optical wave interference interactions of specularly reflected light from the tear film combined with a background signal(s) in a first image. The imaging device can also be focused on the lipid layer of the tear film to capture a second image containing the background signal(s) present in the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: TearScience, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Korb, William L. Weber, Randal B. Chinnock, Benjamin T. Gravely, Stephen M. Grenon
  • Publication number: 20150283402
    Abstract: A method of treating dry eye includes delivering light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and maintaining the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time sufficient to soften an obstruction of at least one meibomian gland. The light energy may be delivered specifically to the obstruction within the at least one meibomian gland without physically contacting the at least one meibomian gland, or the light energy delivered toward the eyelid may conductively apply heat to the meibomain gland sufficient to melt the obstruction. A corresponding apparatus includes a light energy source positionable outside an eyelid and configured to deliver the light energy from outside an eyelid toward the eyelid, and a controller configured to control the light energy source to maintain the delivery of the light energy toward the eyelid for a period of time sufficient to soften the obstruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Stephen M. Grenon, Donald R. Korb, Timothy R. Willis, Benjamin T. Gravely